My feet look like fat sausages! I can't remember the last time I twisted an ankle or something similar so I'm not sure I've ever seen this atrocious a sight on my legs before. Even my flip flops from last season are squeaking like they never have before, must be the extra weight on them. It's depressing. I think I'll have to pay for a manicure to make my fat toes be a little distracting from the fat cankle.

37 weeks

I reached 37 weeks today - meaning she is considered full term and they won't stop labor if it were to start. I think she's pretty cozy since she's still sitting high though. The charts estimate her to be about 6 and 1/3 pounds. I was only 6 lbs 15 oz when I was born, but back then doctors were mean and really tried to restrict women's weight gain. oh and my mom smoked, so we were all right around 7 lbs. I would love it if my baby stayed a 7 pounder :)

I forgot to mention the wonderful name suggestion we had at the last baby shower. Eloise Lucille. I got to try it out later that day when someone asked me the name we picked out. I couldn't get it out with a straight face but they still thought I was serious. It was kinda fun messing with people, so I might have to play that few more times calling her Eloise. I just hope we don't get any monogrammed stuff for ELM - thats too close to Elmer. oooh, even funnier.

Guess I can laugh at myself too

Jeff had a good laugh at my expense the other day. I had a nice nap on Sunday and he came in after I was awake but I didn't have a reason to get out of bed yet (in other words, I didn't have to pee yet, so I wasn't going to move when I was comfortable). We talked for a bit and sure enough w/in 10 minutes I had to pee. I tried to sit up; nope just fell back. So to get out of bed I roll to the edge, let my legs fall off till my feet hit the ground and then I can use my arms to push off from the bed to stand up. I've been doing this for a few weeks now and I guess Jeff had no idea. He was thoroughly amused. I'm sure it was/is a funny sight.

Another funny sight would be how I move today. My legs have not been this sore since I paid a 250lb man to torture me in the gym. Yesterday morning our dishwasher decided to try to flood our kitchen. Luckily I caught it when just a few gallons of water were on the floor. I was already in my work clothes though, so I was bending and squatting getting the water up and moving all the cleaner crap from under the sink, so I could dry out the cabinets. Afterward I figured I needed to flip the breaker switch to turn off the dishwasher till Jeff could look at it, and when I went to climb the 5 stairs down to the garage I screamed out in pain. My days of doing lunges and squats were way too long ago and my body is mad at me now! The day after is always the worst. So today I'm using the handicap bathroom so I can use the handrails to pull myself up and try to give my legs a little break. I hope I don't break the bathroom door knob tonight at my house, since there are no rails :)

NASA baby shower

Yesterday my work threw us a shower. There were several ladies that helped organize it and a few really creative ones. I finally got a diaper cake! I didn't think I'd be one of those women that was all about the froo froo girly stuff, but I've seen pics of those cakes and thought they were pretty neat. So on my 3rd shower I finally got one - complete with a stork, some spoons and a headband :)
I think we are stocked now for baby gear! We got some of the lil onesies that I needed, more blankets, bibs and socks and a few fun things I didnt register for like a rainforest light up musical crib hanging thingy, a heartbeat bear, a Jenny Jump-up (I guess a baby girl can't use a 'johnny jump up'), a bumbo seat and a piggy bank that is handmade by one of my bosses made like an old timey post office box. That had lots of cash it, collected from the group. Ah - the benefits of working at a big place full of kind, generous people :)

Last night when I was watching the news I wasn't as depressed by it as a I have been recently (just depressed during the news hour - not in general). So many people are in bad situations, but Jeff and I feel like we're still at the top of the world. We're happy, in love, healthy, new baby, lots of friends and family and both work in great environments with more friends that are supportive and kind.
(I better not have just jinxed myself)

36 weeks!

At the end of this week I'll be considered full term :)
The charts estimate her weighing about 6 pounds - that's almost twice as big as her daddy when he was born (he is a twin)
She's still sitting up high and pretty against my ribs. I keep meaning to take some pictures so I can compare when she does drop. So far I just have the usual minor grips of acid reflux at night, some back pain/discomfort, and just a little swelling in my feet. The cold weather has come back and my leg rash came back - I had it nearly cleared up when we had a warm spell and I wore skirts all week. I don't think I've had any braxton hicks contractions but there have been a few moments it seems like more pain that just a baby kicking - though she is getting stronger!

I still need to pack the hospital bag -it's on my list for this week/weekend. Tomorrow is a baby shower at my work, so we'll know what we're missing and can go shopping this weekend.

People keep telling me I look like all my weight is baby. That's nice of them to say and I'm glad I can hide it elsewhere but I think it's only because I'm tall. Yes I have packed on enough pounds I predict the dr to tell me to stop. I have my fingers crossed for a relatively dry (but not drought) Spring, so I can get the stroller out and walk off some of this new fat on my thighs. I guess every woman dreads pulling out their pre-preggo clothes and seeing what will fit. I supposed I can sacrifice wearing shorts for a bit to get a healthy baby though - just have to keep reminding myself that :)

I talked to a landscaper yesterday that is coming soon to add mulch to our flowerbeds, so that will be one less stress this spring :) then maybe my nesting instinct will kick in soon and I will clean my house. If only we could coat the cats in glue so their hair would quit shedding - that would fix alot of our house problems :)

Tired again

I'm getting flashbacks to the first tri where I was tired all the time. I think for the 3rd day in a row I'll be taking a nap when I get home. I think the baby is using all my food for energy and not leaving me with any! ah, the sacrifices we make.

35 / 35

I'm at 35 weeks with 35 days to go!!!

The stats say she's just over 5 lbs and about 18 inches long and running out of room to move around. Though last night I got scared she was having a seizure b/c my belly was going crazy. Most of her basic physical development is now complete, now she's just getting fatter. Note to babymach: you can take some of your mom's fat b/c she'd like to stop gaining weight now.

My changes are nothing that I'm happy about - belly button is about stretched to the max, more acid reflux, back to being tired more often, a few times of crazy hunger fits, and some general body aches and other gross stuff I won't go into. Though some of my latest reading about getting closer to labor and delivery is really grossing me out, so I guess my stinky farts are just practice for whats to come. I really can't wait till my friend Taryn learns about a mucus plug. haha. The evil side of me wants to share the gory details - so I have been with Jeff at least. I keep reminding him, it's partly his fault, and if he can't share in some of the pain, he's certainly going to hear about it. He just smiles like he still loves me :)

I bought a breastfeeding book but so far it's pretty general knowledge stuff. I hope it comes easy for me like my sister. If not, I'm glad I live in a town large enough to get some help.